Fluid control system for torpedoes



March 14, 1961 w. M. BOMBL ETAL 2,974,619

FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ToRPEDoEs Filed Jan. 13, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTY March 14, 1961 w. M. BOMBL ErAL FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TORPEDOES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13, 1950 INVENTORS:

B OM B L AT TY WALTER M. JOHN E. PHILLIPS CLEMENT H. WATSON March 14, 1961 w. M. BoMBL ETAL FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TORPEDOES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 15, 1950 INVENTORS.' M. BOMBL PH l LLIPS T H. WATSON ATT'Y March 14, 1961 w. M. BoMBL ErAL FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ToRPEDoEs 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 15, 1950 mok-zww. @Z1-...I INPS INI/ENTORS-- WALTER M. BOMBL JOHN E. PHILLIPS CLEMENT H. WATSON ATTY March 14, 1961 w. M, BOMBL ETAL FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TORPEDOES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 13, 1950 INVENTORS.'

BOMBL JOHN E. PHILLIPS wv. Om-

C. zm Q56 E.

:853mm N.

WALTER CLEMENT H. WATSON AT T'Y Zitlig yatented Mar. 1d, 1961 2,974,619 FLUID CONTRL SYSTEM FOR TRPEDOES Walter M. Bombl, .lohn E. Phillips, and Clement H. Watson, Newport, RJ., assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Jan. 13, 1950, Ser. No. 138,480

18 Claims. (Cl. 114-20) (Granted under Title 35, UJS. Code (1952), sec. 266) This invention relates to a huid controlling system and is more particularly described as an improved system oi control for the operation of combustion apparatus in the tiring cycle `of a torpedo. ln this cycle oxygen to support combustion is derived from the decomposition of a solution of hydrogen peroxide assisted by a preferably solid, screen-type catalyst, the oxygen and water resulting from such decomposition, with additional water and a suitable liquid fuel, being directly applied in proper sequence and introduced into a combustion chamber. The gaseous products of combustion being greatly expanded may be used to drive a turbine or any other suitable iiuid pressure engine.

In applying this system to an underwater torpedo, it is a fully enclosed, self-contained unit which is started from the outside of the torpedo in a quick, simple, and reliable manner, and is entirely automatic in its cycle of operation. To insure proper igniting and firing of the fluids, the order and timing of the hydrogen peroxide, the fuel, and the application of the catalyst, and introduction of the products into the combustion flask are highly critical, as is also the timing of the rst flash of the igniting means.

A somewhat similar cycle as applied to a liquid catalyst but without the safety features of this system, is disclosed in the copending patent application of Francis R. Bichowsky and Robert H. Canfield Serial No. 100,686, tiled September 14, 1936, now Patent No. 2,746,249. Solid catalyst constructions for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by the electro-deposition of cobalt or lead are disclosed in applications Serial No. 730,208 tiled February 21, 1947, by Christian l. Wernlund and Paul F. Beute, Jr., and Serial No. 730,187 tiled February 21, 1947, now Patent No. 2,550,438, by Paul F. Bente, Ir., respectively.

An important object of the present invention is therefore to control introduction of the comburent materials, both as to their order and their timing, to prevent preignition and to insure ignition at the proper time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a uid control system in which the comburent materials are completely isolated from each other until their introduction into the combustion flask; each liquid being retained in a separate system, effectively prevented from escaping within the hull of the torpedo or other space surrounding the system. The developemnt of infiammable or explosive mixtures in any location other than within the combustion flask is thus eiectively prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for quickly shutting down the torpedo in case of accidental tripping of the starting mechanism or at the liquid exhaustion at the end of an exercise shot.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a plurality of valving means, so interconnected that they function only in a predetermined sequence, and after the lapse of predetermined intervals.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the specihcation and will be apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a iow controlling system in accordance with the invention as applied to a torpedo, pertinent parts of which are shown in section, and diagrammatically, with the system iu an initial position in which a stop and charging valve is closed, the liquid receptacles are tilled and other operative valves re not subject to fluid pressure, and the index pertains ot the different fluids which are active in different ways in all of the system figures;

Fig. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the conditions of a part ofi-the system when the system is ready to re, with the stop valve open;

Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the system in a fired and tiring condition;

Fig. 4 diagrammatically illustrates the system partially shut down with the dump valve venting;

Fig. 5 diagrammatically illustrates the system shut down and with the starting valve venting; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a stop and charge valve assembly.

in a torpedo the space is limited and the various parts such as the tanks, valves, pipes, combustion pot, operating engine, and the like, must be compactly arranged and constructed for confining them in the available space as compactly as possible, in order to be accessible, removable and replaceable, and also to conform to the circular wall of the torpedo. The detailed construction of each valve member is immaterial for this application, but the function and operation are important, and in the diagrammatic views suitable valves for these purposes are illustrated. This invention is therefore directed more particularly to the operation of a system of iluid control which includes a motive fluid under high pressure reduced to a lower usable pressure and to a safety cycle of operations and movements of other comburent fluids in a sequence such as to avoid operations hazardous to personnel and to the torpedo involved.

In the operation of this system, air which is the impelling iluid and three different liquids, Water, navol which is high-strength hydrogen peroxide,fand fuel which may be alcohol, are confined separately in tanks. These tanks may be contained within or formed as a part of the outer wall of the torpedo. In representing the systern the tanks are connected by pipes through Valve means to automatically charge a combustion pot, with the liquids admitted in a certain sequence and cycle which must be maintained to properly Iactuate a torpedo. T he iinpelling air is stored at such high pressure that it is necessary first to reduce it before applying it to the valves and other devices. Even the reduced pressure produces such rapid operation of the parts that the entire cycle is almost instantaneous but it is explained in connection with the drawings as if the cycle were operated in stages. In this manner the sequence of operations and the safety features are more readily explained and understood.

Fluid tanks and connections- An air tank 10 is connested by a pipe 11 with combined stop and charge valves 12 and must be capable of holding air under pressure which may be as high as 2800 pounds per square inch. This is the system impelling fluid which also actuates the stabilizing gyro and the steering and depth engines.

A water tank 14 has a separate filling means represented i by a water iilling opening 16 with a connection (not shown) to the outside of the torpedo, vand a Water discharge pipe 1S is connected to a delivery valve 20W. To apply pressure to the top of the water tank for discharging water therefrom, a pipe 21 connects the tank 14 with an air check and vent valve 22W.

Preferably located within the water tank 14 is a navol v u tank 24 which has a discharge pipe 25 connectingit with the navol delivery valve 20N. By the word navoL wherever it appears in the specication and claims, applicants mean hydrogen peroxide in high concentration. Extending from the pipe 25 near the valve is a filling pipe 26leading to the outside of the torpedo (not so shown). A pipe '23 connects the top of this tank 24 through the wallV of the water tank 14 and to thedelivery valve 22N.

Also preferably located in the water tank 14 is `a fuel tank 28 with a filling opening 29 and having a connection (not shown) for filling it from the outside of the torpedo. A discharge pipe 30 extends from the fuel tank to a fuel delivery valve 20F `and an air pressure pipe 32 extends from the fuel tank to the air check and vent valve 22F. These liquid tanks are lled in a conventional manner through .check valves `and pipes (not shown) extending to the outside of the torpedo, the check valves preventing outward or reverse ow of the liquid in the pipes. An example of this type orf a check valve is the charge valve shown in Fig. 6.

l' Stop and charge valves.-The stopV and charge valves 12 may be included iu a single body as shown in Fig. 6, located for fluid tight operation through the vouter wall of the torpedo.- The charge valve has a partially balanced stem 34 with a spring 35 engaging it and tending to close a beveled valve 36 against a seat 37. At the outsideof the seat is a threaded closure plug 3S removable to attach' the threaded end o-f a pressure filling hose (not shown). A passage 40 in the valve body communicates around the stem and through the valve seat 37 with the hose fill opening. The valve stem is biased to close the valve 36 in the same direction as the spring 35, insuring no leakage through the valve which thus operates as a check valve. The stop valve has a valve member 42 to close upon a seat 43, with the passage 40 at the back of the Valve member and a passage 44 extending outwardly from the seat and communicating with the pipe 11 extending to the air tank 10. The valve member 42 is threaded in the valve body accessible for turning it from the outside of the torpedo Wall, by means of la stem 41 and is manually operated to open and close communication between the air tank and the passage 40 in the valve body.

l Connected into the valve body in communication with the passage 40 is-a pipe 45 extending to a starting valve 46.r By manually opening the stop valve, after the tank has been charged, the tank is connected to supply high pressure air to the system.

f .With this construction, in charging the air tank with high pressure air, the air passes through the charge valve `34 to the passage 40 and thence through the stop valve 42 and passage 44 to the air tank. When the air tank is full charged, the stop valve is manually closed, the charging hose is disconnected, and the charge valve plug 38 is replaced. When a torpedo is to be operated (discharged) the stop valve is manual-ly opened from the outside by the stem 41 to provide communication from the air tank through pipe 11, passage 44, stop valve 42, passage 40, and pipe 45 to the starting valve 46.

y Starting valve-In this valve, a body 47 has a seat 48 with 'an opening 49 above it -for a mo-va'ble valve member 50 and an opening 51 below it into which an outlet pipe 52 extending to a gyro mechanism and pipe 53 extending to a pressure regulator 10P are connected. The valve member is semi-balanced, with a shoulder 54 larger than the valve portion, thereby tending to open the valve. Surrounding the balancing portion is a space 55 into which the pipe 45 from the stop and check valves 12 is connected.

In the valve member 50 is an end opening recess 56 having a restricted passage 57 through the wall below the shoulder 54 communicating with the space 55 so that pressure in the space bleeds into the recess 56. A coil spring 58 is seated in the recess and bears at its outer end against the valve body, tending to hold the valve on its seat. Pressure applied to thevalve member from the pipe 45 opens the valve, but when pressure on both sides of the valve is equalized through the bleed passage 57, the spring 58 closes the valve.

Connected with the opening 49 above the valve is an extension 60 into which are connected a pipe 61 extending to a starting gear 62 and a pipe 63 extending to an air dump valve 65. Another pipe 66 is connected to the inlet side of the valve, preferably to the high pressure inlet pipe 45, and also extends to the airvdump valve V65 to produce a .differential pressure therein with the pipe 63.

Starting gema-A conventional representation of the starting gear comprises a valve body `68 4having a valve seat 69 separating opposite chambers, one above the seat connected by the pipe 61 to the starting valve and the other below the seat connected by a pipe 76 with the air dump valve 65 and with the `low pressure side lof the pressure regulator 10P. A valve 72 engages the seat 69' and has a stem '73 -extending out of the valve body through the chamber below the seat. A coil spring 74 in the chamber above the seat bears at one end against the valve and at the other end against the insideof thevalve body, tending to seat the valve. l l

vA rotatable arm 75 is adapted to engage the end ofthe stem 73 and by its movement to raise the valve 72 from the seat 69 causing a flow of air through the valvefrom pipe 61 to pipe 70 and thence to the air dump valve 65 and to the pressure reducer or regulator 10P. This arm may be moved manually and it may be engaged automatically when thetorpedo is made ready for operative movement.

Opening the valve 72 causes a relief of pressure on lthe spring side of the starting Valve which thereupon will open starting the operation of the control system subject to the operation of a test and relief valve and other parts.

Pressure regzfzlatolz-This is a pressure reducing valve and it is sometimes combined with the starting valve 46. vIt converts the high pressure air received through pipe 53 from the starting valve `at approximately 2800 pounds per square inch and delivers air under pressure of from 600 to 860 pounds per square inch from the low pressure extension, depending somewhat upon an adjustment screw 77.

The specific construction of the regulator is not material to this invention, but reduced air pressure is delivered therefrom through a pipe 78 to an air strainer 80, and through a pipe 82 -to the air dump valve 65. A branch of the pipe 70 leading to fthe starting gear is also connected to the pressure regulator.

Air dump valve 65 .-This valve comprises a main valve 84 having a stem 85 and a piston 86 thereon urged to closed position by a spring 87, and a pilot valve 38 having a stem S9 with `apiston 9G thereon, and controlled both by high pressure air from the air tank 10 directed to 0pposite sides of the piston and by air through pipe 70 from the starting gear 62.

The pilot valve either closes upon ya seat 91 communicating with the pipe 70 or upon a seat 92 controlling a vent 93. Surrounding the valve between the seats is a chamber 94 communicating through a passage 95 with one end of a cylinder 96 in which the piston 86 of the main valve 84 is moved by pressure from the pipe 70' against the spring 87. Thus the pilot valve either supplies air to the main operating piston 86 and cylinder 96 or allows Ilthe air to bleed therefrom through the vent 93 into the torpedo afterbody.

lMovement of the pilot valve is effected by its piston 90 in a cylinder 98 by introducing air under tank pressure through pipe 66 to the valve side of the piston tending to raise the valve 88 from its seat 91 and to engage the seat 92, and from the opposite or discharge side of the starting valve through pipe `63 to the opposite end of the cylinder 98, `tending to hold the valve 88 against the seat 91. A spring 99 at the end of the pilot valve stem tends to close the valve 88 on theseat 91 when pressure on opposite sides of the piston 9i) isbalanced, or when there is i no pressure on either side, and an adjusting screw 100 is adapted to vary the pressure of this spring.

The main valve 84 closes upon a seat 102 yto shut off pressure from the pipe 82 extending from the low pressure side of the pressure regulator P and opens through a chamber 103 to close against a seat 104 for a vent 105 from the chamber. Extending from the chamber is a pipe 106 leading `to test and relief valves 108. Thus the direct function of the main valve 84 is either -to close connection with the pipe 82, opening the test and relief valves to exhaust through the vent 10S, or to close .the vent, opening communication between lthe low pressure supply pipe S2 and the pressure supply pipe 106 through the valve chamber 103.

The only adjustment to be made to this valve is by means of the adjusting screw 100 to vary the tension of the pilot valve spring 99.

The purpose ofthe dump valve is to quickly shut off the power from the combustion pot to the engine, to prevent it from accelerating to dangerous speeds or possible destruction, or to shut down the torpedo. This is accomplished by discharging the reduced air from the liquid ejecting system into the torpedo afterbody. When reduced pressure is discharged from the system, the air check valves (22W, 22N and 22F) will close with the liquid delivery valves N, 20W, and 20F, which prevents the liquid from entering the combustion pot and producing power ythrough their reaction.

Test and relief valve-This assembly (108) comprises a stop or test valve 110 to control admission of reduced air pressure from a common chamber 111 through a branched pipe 112 to the three air check valves 22W, 22N and 221:'. With this valve closed the flow of the liquids cannot be started since it prevents reduced Iair pressure from ybeing applied to the liquid tanks for ejecting the liquids therefrom. This valve is represented as having a stern extending outside of the joint block and through chamber 111 with a manually engageable knob 113 by which it may be raised by turning it upon a threaded portion 114, to open the valve. This valve should be the last one opened prior to firing the torpedo.

A relief valve 116 is for emergencies, to relieve any excess pressure which may occur in the reduced air system, due to a sticking reducing valve, or any other cause. It comprises a spring loaded poppet valve opening outwardly from the chamber 111 yto support the predetermined load of about 800 pounds per square inch. When the air pressure acting against this valve reaches the predetermined load, the valve is opened against its spring to bleed off the excess pressure. As soon as the pressure is reduced, the relief valve will close and the other valve will function as described.

Thus the test and relief valve assembly operates to shut off the reduced pressure from the liquid delivery system, and to relieve excess pressure in the reduced pressure systern. With this test and relief valve system, the blowout plug, as used in air torpedoes, is no longer needed.

Air check and vent valira-Each of the air check and vent valves 22W, 22N and 221i comprises a valve block having an inlet chamber 11'7 to which one branch of the pressure pipe 112 is connected, and a venting chamber 118 from which a pressure pipe 21, 23, or 32 extends to its respective tank. Between each inlet chamber and its venting chamber is a spring loaded check valve 119 which closes against the inlet, the Valve being located in the venting chamber and permitting the iiow of air into this chamber but allowing no back flow.

A vent valve 120 is also mounted in each valve block upon a stem 121 connected to a piston 122 which receives pressure from the inlet chamber for closing the valve against relief from the venting chamber, opposite to thel check valve 119. A spring 123 surrounds the valve stem 121 and bears against the piston 122 at one end and the valve block at the other, tending to open the valve 120 for relief of pressure in the venting chamber 118, but the S. spring is overcome by air pressure in the inlet chamber 117.

When the torpedo is shut down, the dump valve discharges reduced pressure air from the igniter operating line 150 from the inlet side of each check valve 119 and from the top inlet 131 of the hereinafter described navol delivery valve 20N. As the differential pressure falls below about fifteen (15) pounds per square inch, the higher pressure still being on the inlet side of each valve, these air check valves close. The pressure on the inlet side of each valve continues to fall rapidly until it reaches atmospheric pressure. As this pressure is lowered on each venting piston 122, its associated spring 123 opens the vent valve 120, and any contents of the venting chamber 11S are discharged into the sea or the atmosphere.

Only the navol valve 22N has a separate filling vent Y plug 125 shown as extending directly into the valve block and communicating with its venting chamber 120. This is intended to minimize the loss of navol liquid when the torpedo is stored in the nose up position and the pressure :builds up due to decomposition of the liquid. In storage pressure builds up slowly to approximately nine (9) pounds per square inch which is sufficient to open the navol vent valve, and after relief this valve is reseated by its spring. When the torpedo is tired from submerged tubes, the vent valve prevents the sea water from working its way into and flooding the navol venting chamber 120 and its tank 24.

Delivery Vahlen- The main functions of the delivery valves are to keep the liquids separate and to feed them in proper sequence to a decomposition receptacle 128 and a combustion pot 130. The three valves 20N, 20W, and 20F may be represented as exactly similar, each comprising a block having a top inlet 131 to a piston chamber 132, a bottom inlet 133 to a valve chamber 134 having a seat 135 therein and a side outlet 136`from the chamber at the under side of the seat 135. In the piston chamber is a piston 13S connected to a stem 139 extending in the block from the piston chamber into the valve chamber 134 and having thereon a valve 140 to engage the seat 135. A coil spring 141 surrounds the stem 139 in the piston chamber and tends to retain the valve in engagement with the seat. The piston 138 being larger than the valve 140 opens the valve even against the same pressure at the top and bottom of the block plus the pressure of spring 141.

Connected to the top inlet 131 of the navol valve 20N is a branch of the air pressure pipe 112; connected to the bottom inlet is pipe 25 from the navol tank 24; and extending from the side outlet is a pipe 142 having branches extending to the top inlet of the water valve 20W and to the inlet end of the decomposition receptacle.

The water valve 20W receives the pressure of the navol admitted to its top inlet asv soon as the navol valve 20N is opened, and this navol pressure actuates the piston to open the water valve 20W. Extending from the side of the water valve Ablock is a pipe 144 having branches extending one to the top of the fuel delivery valve 20F, and the other to the lower or discharge end of the decomposition receptacle.

The fuel valve 20F is opened by the pressure of water from the water valve 20W, and fuel from the tank 28 is admitted through the valve to pipe 146 which leads to the inlet end of the combustion pot 130.

Thus a series safety operation is insured: the navol valve 20N is first opened by reduced air pressure from the dump valve 65 and the test valve 10S through pipe 112, which admits navol under pressure to one end of the decomposition receptacle 128, and opens the water valve 20W; opening the water valve admits water under pressure to the discharge end of the decomposition receptacle 128, and to the pressure cylinder of the fuel valve 20F for opening it; and opening the fuel valve 20F admits fuel from the tank 28 and pipe 30, through the valve and pipe 146 to the inlet end of the combustion pot 130, Y I

Y* The combustion pon-The specific construction of this pot 130 isnot claimed in this application, but it comprises a reduced air pressure connection to a pressureoperated igniter 152 through a pipe 15b` extending from the pipe 106 between the dump valve 65 and the test and relief valve 108. This pressure-operated igniter 152 is disposed in close proximity to the fuel inlet pipe 146 to insure ignition of the fuel there admitted.

At the other end of the pot, a mixture of navol which has passed through the decomposition receptacle 128 and water from pipe 144 is directed through a pipe 154 into the pot. A shell 155 Within the pot and spiral ribs 156 at the inside form a continuous spiral passage leading to the fuel inletend where the fuel is ignited within the shell 155 Which has means 158 therein to form a spiral passage leading to the discharge nozzle 160. The nozzle leads to the torpedo driving engine or engines, the specific construction of which forms no part of the present invention. p Other connections-When a torpedo is in operation it must be steered and controlled for depth by various engines or devices which are actuated by air pressure. While the specic constructions of these devices form no part of the present invention, the system which supplies pressure for operating the torpedo driving engine must also furnish the motive power for concurrently operating the steering and depth control means, a gyroscope, and any other necessary parts. l

The steering engines, which may also include those for depth control, may be connected by pipes 165 and 166 to the air strainer Si) which receive reduced pressure air from the low pressure side of the pressure regulator 10P through the pipe 78. A gyroscope for steering and stability is preferably connected to a high pressure source of air supply as soon as the torpedo is tired as shown in Fig. 3. lt is therefore connected to the pipe 52 extend- 'ing from the starting valve and receives operating pressure through the starting valve.

Operation of system Before starting condition.-With the stop and charge valve closed, as represented in Fig. l, and assuming that the navol, water, and fuel tanks have been lled with their respective liquids, and with the air pressure tank charged to a pressure of 2800 pounds per square inch, the torpedo is ready for operation and may be prepared for tiring before placing it in a torpedo tube of a submarine, or any discharge tube. v

In this condition, all of the pipe lines from the stop and charge valves, through the reducing and dump valves, and to the lair check and delivery valves and the combustion pot are free from pressure both high and reduced; the air check and delivery valves are closed by their springs; and the vent valves for the navol, W-ater, and fuel may be closed by their springs and the pipes to and from the venting chambers may be filled with air at atmospheric pressure, or fumes from the navol or the fuel.

Ready to fire, Fig, 2.-Iust prior to loading the torpedo into the discharging tube the stop valve member 42 of the charging valve is opened very Slowly. This permits high pressure air from the air tank 10 to enter the high pressure pipe li to the starting valve 46 ,and to bleed through the restricted passage 57 in the valve member 50, and through the pipe 61 to the starting gear 62. This pressure which bleeds through the starting valve member holds it in closed position and the pipes 66 and 63 exten ing to opposite sides of the piston 96 of the pilot valve of the-air dump valve 65 provide substantially balanced pressure for the pilot valve so that the spring 99 closes the pilot valve 8S on Aits seat 91.

' j 'The stop or test valve 110 is next opened, preferably 4by hand, and the torpedo is ready for firing'.

The torpedo fired, Fig. 3.-In firing the torpedo, the operating arm 75 is moved to open the valve 72 of the starting gear. This opens the highrpressure in thepipe '61 to relief thruogh the valve to the pipe 7 tl, and since the starting piston valve member 50 is capable of taking care of a volume of air greater than the (1/32 of an inch) restricted passage 57 is capable of supplying, there is high pressure on one side of the valve member 5i) and greatly reduced pressure on the other side, causing a pressure differential which snaps the starting valve open admitting high pressure to the pressure regulator 10P.

Air under reduced pressure is con'ductedrby pipe 70 from the pressure regulator 10P to the pilot valve 88 of the dump valve 65. This valve is opened by the continuance of the high pressure air through pipe 66, which closes the valve 88 on the seat 92 to shut off the vent 93, and low pressure Vair passes from pipe through the valve and passage to move the piston 86 opening the dump valve S4.

The reduced Ipressure of about 600 pounds per square inch is also directed to the steering engines through pipe 78 and to the dump valve through pipe 82. Movement of the dump valve S4 against the vent seat 165 opens reduced air into supply pipe 106 leading to the test and relief valve 168 and from this pipe and pipe 150 to the igniter 152 of the combustion pot 13G Where the air pressure is applied to operate the firing mechanism.

From the stop valve 110 which is manually (or otherwise) opened, the reduced air passes through the branched pipe 1112 to the air check valves 22W, 22N, and 22F, and also to the first delivery valve 20N. The vent valves 120 for the check valves are closed by the same pressure as applied to them.

Air pressure is then yapplied through check valves 22W, 22N, and 22]? to place the water, navol and fuel tanks under pressure and to expel fluid therefrom through pipes 1S, 25, and 36 respectively up to their delivery valves 26W, 20N and 20F. These ydelivery valves have been closed by their springs 141 and the pressure of their liquid also tends to close them.

The desired sequence of operation of the liquid delivery valves isutilizing the pressure of one liquid to open the valve for the next liquid, a Water valve being interposed between valves for the other two liquids navol and the fuel, to prevent intermixing of navol and fuel lin the sequential delivery valve system. To start this sequence of operation, reduced air pressure from the branch air pressure pipe 112 is applied to the valve opening piston of the navol valve 20N which admits navol from its pipe 25 through the valve and by way of pipe 142 to the valve opening piston of the water delivery valve 20W. At the same time navol is also supplied through a branch of pipe I142 to the inlet end of the receptacle 128.

Opening the water valve 20F supplies water under pressure from pipe 18 through the valve and by way of branch pipe 144 to the piston device of the fuel valve 291I and to the discharge end of the receptacle 128. This opens the fuel valve 20F and admits fuel from the supply pipe 30 through the valve and by pipe 146 to the inlet end of the combustion pot adjacent the igniter 152.

The high-strength navol is admitted at the inlet end of the decomposition receptacle 128 and passes therethrough to the discharge end Where the resultant product is mixed with water from pipe 144 and forced into the outer spiral passage surrounding the shell of the `combustion pot until they meet the fuel which is ignited by the igniter 152 at the inlet end and the entire mixture is directed along the inside of the shell 155 until it is discharged from the nozzle 160. The fuel is thus fired by the igniter in an atmosphere of oxygen and Water vapor as modified by the catalyst or decomposition receptacle 128.

AThe system is now in full operation until it is shut olf manually, byla governor (not shown) at engine over- 'speed, by lowered 'air tank pressure at the end of an exercise or practice shot, or by a hit of the torpedo in a war shot.

Torpedo shut down, Fig. 1.-When the torpedo is shut down by the governor, the starting valve 72 is closed automatically by operating the arm 75. While under test the valve may be closed manually. When the starting valve is closed, the air which is in the pipe 61 is quickly built up to the high pressure of the tank 10 by leakage through the starting valve 46, since it can no longer escape through the starting gear 62 into the reduced air pressure system as shown in Fig. 3.

The pressures on yboth sides of the starting valve 46 become equalized and the valve spring S snaps the starting valve member 50 closed on the seat 4S. This prevents the passage of high pressure air to the pressure regulator P. At the same time, the built up pressure in the pipe 61 between the starting gear and the starting valve is effective in operating the pilot valve 88, for the pressures in pipes 66 and 62 on both sides of the pilot operating piston 90 becomes equalized, and the pilot valve spring 99 moves the valve 88 from the vent seat 92 and in engagement with the lower seat 91. The air from the pressure end of the dump valve piston S6 is discharged through chamber 94 and out of the vent 93 into the torpedo afterbody. When the pressure at the end of the dump valve piston is relieved, the dump valve spring 87 closes the dump valve 84 on its seat 102 shutting off pressure from the reduction side of the pressure regulator through the pipe 82 and at the same time opening the dump valve chamber 103 and the supply pipe 106 to exhaust through the vent 105.

All of the reduced air pressure lines to the delivery, air che-cit and vent valves, and to the combustion pot are thus discharged through the dump valve int-o the torpedo afterbody. As the reduced pressure air in the inlet side of the three air check valves 22W, 22N, and 22F begins to drop, the air check valves 119 are snapped shut by their springs. As this air pressure continues to fall, the air which is acting upon the vent valve operating pistons 122 is likewise relieved, the vent valve pistons are forced away by their respective springs 123, and the vent valves 12@ are forced open discharging all the air under pressure through the vent pipes 21V, 23V, and 32V. These may be vented out of the torpedo body into the atmosphere or directly into the sea.

At the same time the reduced air acting on the delivery valve N operating piston 138 is vented through pipes 112, test valve 11i), pipe 106 and the dump valve 65. The valve 140 is snapped shut by its coil spring 141 cutting olf the ow of navol to the decomposition chamber 138. As the navol is shut off in delivery valve 20N, the navol liquid pressure which yacts upon the operating piston of the water delivery valve 20W is also shut off closing the valve which in turn closes the delivery Valve il? controlling the supply of fuel through pipes 30 and 146 to the combustion pot 136.

The time required to stop the application of power is only a fraction of a second, from operating the starting valve '72 in the starting gear until the combustion pot pressure drops below 100 pounds per square inch. The air check valves 119 cannot stay open if the inlet pressure is not more than about fifteen pounds per square inch greater than the outlet pressure in the air check valves. Venting of the chambers 113 of the valves 22N and 2F through their vent valves 126 into the atmosphere or the sea may take several minutes. An advantage of this ventincY may be that if the torpedo should sink at the end of a practice shot, the venting air will bubble t0 the surface for six or eight minutes indicating the location of the torpedo.

Shut down and venting, Fig. 5.-Toward the end of the exercise shot, when the liquids are about to become exhausted, and the high pressure air has dropped to below 100() pounds per square inch, this lowered pressure is felt at the valve end of the pilot operating piston 9G, The force exerted by the high pressure air on the pilot operating piston diminishes to such a point that the pilot spring 99 begins to move the pilot valve against its seat 91 and to open the pilot vent 93, shutting o the rcduced pressure to the main dump valve operating piston 86. The dump valve spring S7 now closes the dump valve 84 and shuts olf reduced air from the pipe 82 to the delivery system through pipe 106 and at the same time opens the delivery system to the dump valve vent 105.

In the torpedo is recovered from an actual shot, or at the end of an exercise shot, the stop valve member 42 is manually closed, the relief valve 11G is manually closed, pressure escapes from pipes 45 and 66 through the starting valve 46, and from pipes 63 through pipe 6l when the starting gear 62 is manually opened, and by way of pipes 70 and 78 through the air strainer 30, and the steering engine connections. From the pressure pipe 53 to the pressure regulator 10P, pressure escapes through the pipe 52 and the gyro connections thereto, so that all of the controlling pipes are vented and free from pressure as indicated in Fig. 1.

At this time the iluid tanks may be again filled, and the high' compression tank 10 may be charged with air as originally described to prepare the torpedo for another operative run, either for practice or in actual use.

Conclzlsolz.-With this system a positive sequence of liquid valve operation and `entry of the liquids into the combustion pot is obtained and insured; there is no posibility of two comburent liquids coming together or mixing in the pipes to produce a disastrous reaction; a valve for a liquid which is a non-supporter of combustion is interposed in a series of sequentially operable valves between valves for two liquids which are dangerous when mixed together; backtow of the liquids is prevented; and the torpedo may be automatically shut down when the actuating air pressure drops to a predetermined point, so that a test torpedo may be recovered.

This system is entirely automatic in operation once it is set up, made ready, and manually started. Safe` guards are provided to prevent accidental starting, and a governor controlled arm (75) provides means for manually shutting down the torpedo which is also usually controlled by a governor to prevent torpedo overspeed.

While a particular construction of the parts is described in connection with a system of pipes and connections for accomplishing the Vdesired result, this should be regarded as an illustration or an example of the operation and not as a restriction or limitation of the invention, as many changes may be made in the construction, combination and arrangement of the parts and the system as described, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention herein described may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

We claim:

1. A uid controlling system for torpedoes comprising a stored source of high pressure fluid, a regulator for reducing the iluid pressure, means to start the high pressure iluid through the regulator; individual liquid receptacles containing different comburent liquids and means to apply reduced pressure iiuid from the regulator to expel the liquids from their receptacles; a combustion pot; individual supply lines for transmitting the liquids from the receptacles to the pot to produce a combustible mixture; and individual fluid-pressure operated valves in said supply lines connected in series, the first valve of said series being connected for operation by pressure fluid from said regulator, and each succeeding valve of said series being connected for operation by Il pressure liquid from the next preceding valve of said serres.

Y 2. kA fluid controlling systemY for torpedoes comprising a stored source of high pressure fluid, a regulator for reducing the fluid pressure, means to start the high pressure uid through the regulator; individual liquid receptacles respectively containing navol, water and liquid fuel and means to apply reduced pressure from the regulator to expel the liquids from their receptacles; a combustion pot; individual liquid supply lines for transmitting the liquids from the receptacles to the pot to produce a combustible mixture; individual fluid-pressure operated valves for the navol, water, and liquid fuel liquids, the navol valve being connected to the regulator for operation by the reduced pressure fluid, the Water valve being connected to the navol valve for operation by the navol pressure, and the fuel Valve being connected to the water valve for operation by the water pressure.

3. A uid controlling system for torpedoes comprising a source of air pressure; individual liquid receptacles containing different comburent liquids and means to apply air pressure for feeding the said liquids from the receptacles; a combustion pot for receiving the liquids and producing a power mixture, a series of individual fluid-pressure operable valves each connected 'to a different one of said receptacles and connections from said valves to the pot, a connection from the first valve of said series to operate the second valve, a connection from the second valve of said series to operate the third valve, and a connection from the air pressure source to operate the first valve, insuring a succession of valve operations to feed the liquids in a predetermined sequence to the combustion pot. Y

4. A liuid controlling system for torpedoes comprising a source of air pressure; individual liquid receptacles containing navol, water and liquid fuel and means to apply air pressure for feeding the said liquids from the receptacles; a combustion pot for receiving the liquids and producing a power mixture, individual pressure operated valves each connected to a different one of said receptacles for controlling the supply of navol, Water and liquid fuel to the pot, a connection from the air pressure source to open the navol controlling valve, a connection from the discharge side of the navol valve for supplying pressure to open the water valve, a connection from the discharge side of the Water valve for supplying pressure to open the fuel valve, and the water valve being located between the other two valves to prevent a possible mixture of navol and liquid fuel untilthey are mixed in the pot. v 5. In a fluid controlling system for torpedoes, a combustion por having an igniter, a catalytic decomposition chamber connected to the pot; individual liquid receptacies containing navol, water and liquid fuel and fluid pressure means for feeding said liquids from said receptacles; individual lluid pressure operated valves for said receptacles and supply lines from said receptacles con'- trollcd by said valves; the navol supply line extending through its valve to the decomposition chamber and to the uid pressure operated portion of the water valve, the water supply line extending through its valve to the decomposition receptacle which is connected to the pot and to the fluid pressure operated portion of the fuel valve, and the fuel supply line extending through its valve to the combustion pot; and the said uid pressure means being connected to operate the navol valve and to the igniter of the combustion pot. Y Y

6. ln a fluid controlling system for torpedoes, a combustion pot having fuel and navol-water inlets, a catalytic decomposition chamber having an inlet and an outlet, said outlet being connected to the pot at its navol-water inlet, individual liquid receptacles containing navol, water and liquid fuel and individual supply lines eX- tending therefrom; lluid pressure means for feeding liquid y from each of these receptacles into said supply lines; fluid pressure operated valves in said supply lines for controlling the discharge from each of said receptacles; the supply lines and valves being adapted to control the supply of navol to the inlet of the decomposition chamber, the fuel to the fuel inlet of the combustion pot, and the water tofthe navol-water inlet of the combustion pot to mix with the fuel therein.

7. In a fluid controlling system for torpedoes, a source of fluid pressure supply; individual liquid receptacles containing navol, water and liquid fuel and means to apply said fluidV pressure for feeding the liquids from their receptacles; a discharge line from each receptacle and a separate fluid pressure operated valve for controlling each line; a decomposition receptacle having an inletconnected to the navol line and a discharge outlet, a combustion pot having a navol-water inlet and a fuel inlet, said fuel inlet connected to the fuel line, and the water line connected to deliver the discharge from the decomposition receptacle to the navol-water inlet of the combustion pot; and means for operating the valves in succession, the navol valve being opened by the liuid pressure source, the water valve being opened by pressure from the navol line, and the fuel valve being opened by pressure from the water line.

8. In a fluid controlling system for torpedoes, a source of lluid pressure supply; individual liquid receptacles containing navol, Water and liquid fuel and means to apply said fluid pressure for feeding the liquids from their receptacles; a discharge line from each receptacle and a separate uid pressure operated valve for controlling each line; a decomposition receptacle having an inlet connected by the navol line through its valve to the navol receptacle, a combustion pot having a navol-water inlet and a fuel inlet, said fuel inlet being connected by the fuel line through its valve to the fuel receptacle, the Water line being connected through its valve with the decomposition receptacle to deliver the mixture therefrom into the navol-water inlet of the combustion pot, fluid pressure means to actuate the valves to open in succession, an igniter mounted in the combustion pot, and fluid pressure means from the source of fluid pressure supply to actuate said igniter.

9. In a fluid controlling system for torpedoes, a source of lluid pressure supply; individual liquid receptacles containing navol, water and liquid fuel and means to apply said fluid pressure for feeding the liquids from their receptacles; a discharge line from each receptacle and a separate uid pressure operated valve for controlling each line; a decomposition receptacle connected by the navol line through its valve, this valve being opened by the fluid pressure supply; a water line connection with the decomposition receptacle through the water line valve, this valve being opened by uid pressure of navol `after it passes through its valve; a combustion pot to receive fuel from the fuel supply receptacle through the fuel supply line and the fuel valve, this valve being opened by' water'pressure after it passes through its valve; the supply of fuel to the combustion pot depending upon the Successive openings of the valves in the order named; means to supply the Water and decomposed navol mixture from the decomposition chamber to the combustion pot; and ignition means to lire the fuel and said mixture in the combustion pot.

10. In a uid controlling system for torpedoes, a source of fluid pressure supply; a combustion pot and a catalytic decomposition receptacle connected therewith individual liquid receptacles containing navol, water and liquid fuel and means to apply uid pressure for feeding these liquids separately from their receptacles; a valve for each liquid having a pressure actuated opening means, the first valve for Vthe navol being opened by the uid pressure supply, and means for supplying the navol to the decomposition chamber and to the opening means of the water valve, the Water valve having means for supplying water to the navol at the decomposition receptacle 13 and for supplying water to the opening means of the fuel valve; and the fuel valve being opened by the water pressure and operative to supply fuel to the combustion pot.

ll. In a fluid controlling system for torpedoes, a source of fluid pressure supply; individual liquid receptacles containing navol, water and liquid fuel and means tto apply lluid pressure for feeding these liquids separately from their receptacles; a valve for each liquid having a Huid pressure piston for opening the valve, the first valve for controlling the flow of navol being opened by the fluid pressure supply, the next valve for the water being opened by pressure of navol through the navol valve, and the fuel valve being opened by pressure of water through the water valve; a catalytic decomposition receptacle connected through the navol and water valves to receive navol at one end and water for mixing with the catalytic product of the decomposition receptacle; a combustion pot having means for receiving the mixture from the decomposition receptacle and a connection to receive fuel through the fuel Valve; a pressure-operated igniter in the pot, and a pressure connection from the fluid supply to the igniter.

l2. In a fluid controlling system for torpedoes, a source of Huid pressure supply; individual liquid receptacles containing navol, water and liquid fuel and means to apply fluid pressure for feeding these liquids separately from their receptacles; a Valve for each liquid having a iluid pressure piston for opening .the valve, a connection for the fluid pressure piston of one valve to the source of lluid pressure supply and a connection through this and the next valve for operating the lluid pressure pistons in succession to control the ow of the liuids; a combustion pot and a navol decomposition receptacle connected through the valves for receiving navol, water and fuel; and separate check valves in the tiuid pressure supply means to the navol, water, and fuel receptacles, each check valve having `a relief valve normally closed when pressure is on the check valve, with a light spring in the relief valve for opening it when the check valve is closed, said relief valve connecting the discharge side of the check valve to atmospheric exhaust.

13. In a fluid -controlling system for torpedoes, a power combustion pot, a catalytic decomposition chamber connected to the pot; individual liquid receptacles containing navol, water and liquid fuel, fluid pressure operated valves and connections therethrough for supplying said liquids to the decomposition receptacle and the combustion pot; a source of fluid pressure supply connected separately to the navol, water and liquid receptacles; a check and vent valve combination in each separate connection to 'the last named receptacles, a pressure reduction regulator between the source of pressure supply and said separate connections for reducing the pressure to said receptacles; and means to vent the connections between the check valves and the low pressure side of the regulator when the fuel supply to the combustion pot is cut olf.

14. In a fluid controlling system for torpedoes; a power combustion pot, a catalytic decomposition chamber connected to the pot; individual liquid receptacles containing navol, water and liquid fuel, fluid pressure operated valves and connections therethrough for supplying said liquids to the decomposition chamber and the combustion pot; a source of fluid pressure supply connected separately to the navol, water and liquid receptacles; a check and vent valve combination in each separate connection to the last named receptacles, a pressure reduction regulator between the source of pressure supply and said separate connections for reducing the pressure to said receptacles; a connection from the low pressure side of the regulator to at least one of the fluid pressure operated valves to actuate it, and means to vent the said valve to close it and to vent the connections between the air check valves and the regulator.

l5. In a uid controlling system for torpedoes, a power combustion pot, a catalytic decomposition receptacle connected to the pot; individual liquid receptacles containing navol, water and liquid fuel, a series of fluid pressure operated valves and connections therethrough for supplying said liquids to the decomposition receptacle and the combustion pot; a source of fluid pressure supply con` nected separately to the navol, water and liquid receptacles; a fluid check and fluid vent valve combination in each separate connection to the last named receptacles, a pressure reduction regulator between the source of fluid pressure supply and said separate econnections for reduc` ing the pressure to said receptacles; the fluid vent valves being operative upon decrease in lluid pressure at the inlet to said lluid check valve to open the navol, water, and liquid fuel receptacles to an atmospheric vent; and valve means Vconnected to the reduced pressure side of the regulator controlling the low fluid pressure therefrom to the first of said series of lluid pressure operated valves` and also to the check valves, and including a vent closed by the valve means when pressure is applied from the regulator and opened by the valve means when pressure from the regulator is cut off and operative to open the fluid pressure connection to the said first fluid pressure operated valve and to the combination check and vent valves to exhaust through the said vent.

16. In a fluid controlling system for torpedoes, a power combustion pot, a catalytic decomposition chamber connected to the pot; individual liquid receptacles containing navol, Water and liquid fuel, fluid pressure operated valves and connections therethrough for supplying said liquids to the decompostion chamber and the combustion pot; a source of lluid pressure supply connected separately to the navol, water and liquid fuel receptacles; a check and vent valve combination in each separate connection to the last named receptacles, a pressure reduction regulator between the source of pressure supply and said separate connections for reducing the pressure to said liquid receptacles; the check valves admitting the fluid pressure through the separate connections to the liquid receptacles and the vent valves opening the receptacles to atmosphere when pressure at the inlets to said check valves is relieved; and venting means for the reduced pressure in the separate connections at the reduced side of the regulator from the check valves when the torpedo is shut down.

17. In a fluid controlling system for torpedoes, a power combustion pot, a catalytic decomposition chamber connected to the pot; individual liquid receptacles containing navol, water and liquid fuel, fluid pressure operated valves and connections therethrough for supplying said liquids to the decomposition chamber and the combustion pot; a source of fluid pressure supply connected separately to the navol, water and liquid receptacles; a check and vent valve combination in each separate connection to the last named receptacles, a pressure reduction regulator between the source of pressure supply and said separate connections for reducing the pressure to said receptacles; and valve means connected to the reduced pressure side of the regulator having a piston operated pressure and vent valve for making pressure and relief connections to energize and exhaust at least one of the pressure operated valves and having a pilot valve actuated by pressure from the supply source to control pressure to the piston of said pressure and vent valve, said pilot valve controlling a discharge vent for relieving pressure from the piston.

18. A fluid controlling system for torpedoes comprising a source of high pressure lluid supply, a two-way bleeding type of starting valve connected to the supply source, a starting gear comprising a relief valve connected to bias the starting valve to open position when the relief valve is opened, a pressure reduction regulator to receive high pressure from the starting valve and to deliver fluid under reduced operating pressure; a fluid pressure piston operated valve in the reduced pressure line with a pilot valve and operative to admit pressure to the piston to Voperate the valve, a discharge vent closed by this.valve when so operated, pressure balancing means for the pilot valve and a vent also controlled by the pilot valve, and

a spring to move the valve when balanced to open the l vent to the pressure end of the piston; a relief valve in a reduced pressure line from Vthe piston operated valve; a plurality of combination air check and vent valves connected to the .reduced pressure line; navol, Water, and liquid fuel receptacles each connectedto receive pressure through one of the combination valves', navol, Water, and liquid fuel piston operated valves each connected to a discharge line from the corresponding receptacles, the piston for the navol valve being actuated by fluid pressure from the reduced pressure line; a combustion pot and a decomposition receptacle having an inlet and a discharge end connected thereto; a pressure line from the navol valve to the inlet end of the decomposition receptacle and also to the piston of the Water valve for operating it; a pressure line from the Water valve to the discharge end of the decomposition receptacle and also to the piston of the 'andr'a relief of pressure therefrom when the fluid pressure is reduced through the said vent valves and through the vent controlled by the rst piston operated valve in the fluid pressure line, and insuring separation of the navol and fuel by the interposed water valve until they lmeet in the combustion pot.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS) 2,325,618 Lysholm Aug. 3, 1943 2,325,619 Lysholm Aug.- 3, 1943 g 2,397,657 Goddard Apr.A 2, 1946 2,402,826 Lubbock June 25, 1946 2,470,564 Lawrence et al. -May 17, 1949 Y 2,479,888

. Wyld et al Aug. 23, 1949 

